KTL Restorations began as many great American businesses do, rooted in family, craftsmanship, and shared purpose. More than twenty-five years ago, Kurt Lawrance and his father, Tom Lawrance, spent evenings restoring classic vehicles in Tom’s backyard shop after his retirement from a long career in engineering, welding, and automotive work. That early work reflected more than a hobby. Attention to detail, deep respect for automotive history, and pride in doing things the right way quickly set them apart. Clients noticed. Those seeking more than a quick repair found something rarer: excellence.

Opportunity and vision prompted Tom’s move from Long Island to Danville. A newly purchased property included a five-thousand-square-foot shop that felt expansive compared to anything available in New York. KTL started modestly, incorporating initially to access discounted auto parts. Demand steadily followed. Word spread through enthusiast circles. Vehicles arrived from increasingly distant places. Along the way, the Lawrances unknowingly laid the groundwork for what would become a nationally recognized restoration facility.

Today, KTL Restorations operates as a world-renowned shop with three distinct service lines. Full restorations preserve vehicles exactly as they left the factory, honoring every original detail. Restomods blend classic aesthetics with modern drivetrains, braking systems, suspension, and comfort features. Full customs give clients the opportunity to design one-of-a-kind vehicles built entirely from the ground up. Collectors from across the United States, Canada, and overseas seek out KTL for a reputation built on precision and artistry few shops can rival.

Following Tom’s passing in 2014, Kurt and his wife Crystal stepped fully into leadership as second-generation owners. Their vision carried both ambition and personal meaning. One evening, Crystal asked Kurt where he saw the business in five years. His answer came quickly and confidently. He wanted KTL’s work recognized at SEMA, the world’s most prestigious automotive trade show. That milestone arrived in just three years. Since then, the company has grown from a team of three or four employees into a staff of fifteen, operating out of a thirteen-thousand-square-foot main facility and a nine-thousand-square-foot body shop.

Growth brought clarity that passion alone would not sustain expansion. That realization led the Lawrances to the Longwood Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and advisor Michael Duncan, who soon became a trusted partner. During his first visit, Michael saw both opportunity and constraint. Continued expansion within the existing footprint no longer made sense. A multi-year advising relationship followed, defined by candid conversations, strategic planning, and decisive action.

Throughout each phase of expansion, Michael worked alongside the Lawrances, evaluating space options, exploring financing strategies, and preparing the business for long-term sustainability. Crystal describes him as both strategist and steady presence, someone who challenged assumptions while grounding decisions in reality. “We might have eventually moved without his guidance,” she said, “but we would not be where we are today.”